Walt Disney profits were boosted by Beauty and the Beast

Profits at Walt Disney jumped 11% in the first three months of 2017, bolstered by attendance at its theme parks and resorts. The firm remains on track for modest growth, in spite of subscriber losses at its sports television network ESPN. "We're extremely pleased with our results," said Disney boss Robert Iger. Its television networks, which include ABC, Disney and the sports-focused ESPN, are the biggest earners, together accounting for more than 40% of the firm's total revenue in the last financial year. The true stories behind Beauty and the Beast and other Disney stories. Revenue at its studio operations declined 1% year-on-year, as strong audiences at Beauty and the Beast couldn't match the firm's success last year with films such as Zootopia and Star Wars: The Force Awakens.